Ronnie Hammond

Bio:

Ronnie is a highly accomplished professional with a commitment to enhancing connectivity and digital equity. With a decade-long career spanning both the private and public sectors, Ronnie has been a driving force in Diversity & Equity initiatives. In 2019, he transitioned to the Office of Rural Broadband as a Program Manager, dedicated to ensuring that all Maryland residents have access to reliable high-speed internet. In his current role as Director of the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband, Ronnie played a pivotal role in facilitating over $300 million in grants to address broadband gaps and close the digital divide. His leadership has been instrumental in implementing Digital Equity initiatives at a broad scale, resulting in more than 140,000 households gaining access to affordability measures, devices, or skills training. Ronnie's unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide has left an indelible mark on Maryland's efforts to create a more connected and equitable future. Ronnie is continually dedicated to bridging the digital divide for communities and residents who lack adequate internet access through various infrastructure projects. In fiscal Year 2025, his Office successfully completed 80 projects across Maryland, funded by investments of $18 million. Additionally, under Ronnie�s leadership the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), that represents a crucial advancement in our digital economy, allocated $267 million to Maryland for the BEAD Program to ensure all residents gain access to high-speed internet, while also expanding broadband availability statewide. Ronnie K. Hammond, Linkedin.com Ronnie K. Hammond, Director, Office of Statewide Broadband